By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson High baseball team completed its regular season Tuesday with an impressive sweep of Derby at Hobart-Detter Field.
The Salthawks won the first game 5-0 and the second game 7-6. The Salthawks have won 13 of their last 15 games after starting the season 4-7. They end the regular season 17-9 and are currently in eighth place in the Class 5A West Region.
Eastyn Keeler pitched a brilliant first game against Derby, tossing a two-hit shutout. The Salthawks gave Keeler all his run support in the fifth inning. Carter Morgan three-run inside-the-park home run was the biggest hit of the inning.
The Salthawks will find out their postseason fate later this week, as they are not locked into a seed yet. They could finish eighth with one Hays loss to Buhler or Salina South, or they’ll finish ninth if Hays wins both games.
Boys golf – The Salthawks had a great day Monday at the AVCTL Division 1 championships at Reflection Ridge. The Salthawks came in second place with a 328, finishing second behind Maize South and 10 strokes ahead of third-place Salina South.
Trae England led the Salthawks with a fourth-place finish with a 78. Winston Johnson was three strokes back in sixth place.
The Salthawks will next compete Monday in 5A regionals at Salina Municipal.
Girls soccer – The Salthawks put themselves in position to host a first-round Class 5A regional game by routing Newton 7-1 on Tuesday.
The win improved the Salthawks to 8-6-1, headed to Friday’s regular-season finale at Derby. A win there seals a no worse than eighth place. The top eight teams will play a first-round home game.
Hutchinson has won four of its last five games with the only loss being at undefeated Maize South.
Girls swimming – The Salthawks finished third at their home meet at the YMCA on May 1.
Three Hutchinson entries won events. Julianna Stivers won the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke, and AJ Gooch claimed first in the 100 breaststroke.
Two relays came in second place, including the 200 individual medley and 400 freestyle relay. The medley team included Stivers, Gooch, Emma Buller and Makenzie Suppes. The freestyle team included Stivers, Gooch, Buller and Morgan Most.
Softball – The Salthawks were swept Tuesday at Fun Valley by Derby, falling 20-5 and 21-2. The losses dropped the Salthawks to 2-22.
Hutchinson will end the regular season on Wednesday at Goddard Eisenhower.
